The event will be hosted by Silee Williams, author of “The Makings of a Champion: 13 Steps That Will Revolutionize Your Life,” which launched March 19.

“It is Christian-based and Bible-based,” he says. “I talk about purpose and opportunity, about looking at the bigger picture.

“I talk about practical things,” Williams says. “I share a lot of personal things to open the minds of the readers.”

In 2011, Williams started “The Empowerment Call,” a talk radio ministry. “Every Wednesday, the Call absolutely blew up,” he says.

“People in seven states started calling in. People in Africa and soldiers in Afghanistan started calling in.”

From his show, Williams expanded some of his teachings and turned them into a book. “I felt at the time that God called me to encourage people,” he says.

A native of Savannah, Williams graduated from Windsor Forest High School. His father still lives in Savannah and his mother lives in Statesboro.

“I moved to Atlanta at 18,” Williams says. “I’m a single parent to my daughter, Jadah, who is 6.”

Using his own life situations, Williams tries to encourage others. “Sometimes when people talk or minister to a crowd, there is a disconnect,” he says.

“I like to share from a personal standpoint. I like to use my life as a living testimony.”

In his book, Williams describes how difficult it is to be a single parent. “I was thrust into it,” he says. “I didn’t feel I was ready to be a father.

“It was a life-changing moment when I realized there were more opportunities than there were obstacles,” Williams says. “It opened my mind up. I started looking at how a lot of people deal with things.”

Williams chose the Platinum Lounge as the location for Experience 2013. “I thought it was a good place to have it,” he says. “For that night, the nightclub is going to have a church atmosphere.”

The theme of the event is “Bridging the gap between the church and the streets.”

“There will be five different speakers and different bands for music,” Williams says. “At the end of the event, I’m going to have a book signing.”

Williams wants attendees to take away a sense of hope and purpose. “This is about how to go after the big dream,” he says. “It’s about succeeding against the odds.”